THORNHILL AIR STATION

Rhodesian Air Force, 1955 - 1980

History of Thornhill Air Station

At the end of WWII the Royal Air Force retained its Rhodesian Training Group at Thornhill, Gwelo. The airfield remained an
active Royal Air Force base flying Harvards until it's closure in 1955 and take over by the Royal Rhodesian Air Force.
(Photos and Anecdotes...).
In order to reduce the congestion at New Sarum the piston engined aircraft (No 4 Sqn) were moved to Thornhill. There was no hard
runway suitable for jet aircraft operations.

During 1956 and 1957 the Rhodesian government constructed a tarmac runway, taxiways and concrete hard standing areas as
well as a new control tower at Thornhill. Once the new radar facility had been commissioned Thornhill was ready for jet training
to commence.

No 9SSU was the first course to undergo Basic Flying School (BFS) at Thornhill in 1956. They were moved to New Sarum to
do their Advanced Flying School (AFS)and Operational Conversion Unit (OCU).

No 10 SSU was the first course to do all their training at Thornhill in 1957-1958.

Resident Units

Thornhill was home to the following Squadrons and Units:

No 1 Squadron
No 2 Squadron
No 4 Squadron
No 6 Squadron
No 2 General Service Unit
No 2 Ground Training School